Reduce Stress with Exercise
Nicky Pilkington
This article explains how exercise can reduce stress and suggests a program of exercises to help you get started.
We have all heard before that there are many benefits to exercise, especially as a technique to reduce stress. If everyone knows that exercise is important then why does stress, disease, and fatigue remain so prevalent in today's society? The answer is simple: we know what to do, we just aren't doing it.
Experts agree that one of the best ways to reduce stress is exercise. Exercise relaxes the body and mind, burns fat, improves the cardiovascular system, brings in more oxygen, reduces the chance of diseases, and lowers blood pressure.
Fight or Flight
When your body is under stress, it uses chemical reactions to prepare to fight or flee. In our prehistoric past, our ancestors had the opportunity to reduce stress by physically fighting for their own survival. They ran away or fought the threat immediately. In today's society, we have fewer opportunities to burn off the stress or pent up negative emotions. Therefore, we carry it with us, creating emotional and physical problems.
Exercise can help reduce stress by providing an outlet for negative emotions such as worry, irritability, depression, hostility, anger, frustration, and anxiety. You can dissipate these feelings by simply taking it out on the tennis court, by running, or punching a bag. Regular exercise provides the opportunity to manage the fight or flight response and helps the body to return to a homeostasis or balanced state more quickly.
Exercise can also reduce stress by improving self-esteem and self worth. You may feel more outgoing because of your increased energy. Your improving physique may create more confidence. Your self-esteem may be enhanced by taking on exercise challenges or goals, giving you a feeling of accomplishment and reward.
Start an Exercise Program to Reduce Stress
To start an exercise program that will reduce stress, choose exercises that you enjoy and can do for at least 20 minutes, three to five days a week. Exercise does not necessarily mean hitting the gym and making an ordeal out of it. It can simply be a walk around your neighborhood or dancing to some tunes. Try to think "activity" instead of "exercise". When you are in an active frame of mind, you may choose to park a little farther away, do stretches at the computer, or take the stairs instead of the elevator.
If you seriously want to reduce stress, commit to becoming more active and stick to your activities for at least 21 days. Research has shown that it takes about 21 days to create a habit. Document how your feel after 21 days of increased activity. Your stress levels should lower, you should feel more energized, and you could see some physical changes such as a slimmer physique.
You probably already knew that exercise could reduce stress. Are you doing it? Make the decision, start slowly, and gradually work up to more frequent and longer workout sessions. The point is, in the words of Nike, well, you know.
To your health.
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